July infomation

Highlights

* Gion-Matsuri Festival *

JUL.1 - JUL31

Gion Matsuri is one of the largest festivals in Japan.
This festival actually started in 869, when a priest of Yasaka Shrine led a procession of people through Kyoto in an attempt to pray Shinto gods to stop the plague raged at the time. The plague soon ended but this event became the most popular festival in Kyoto.
Most exciting part of the festival is Yoiyama ( eve of the Festival ) from 14th - 16th,and Yamaboko Junko ( The Grand Procession ) on 17th, but many other ceremonial rituals are held throughout July.
Here's a list of main festival events.

Hoko and Yama Tate ( Float Construction )

JUL.10 - JUL.14

33 floats are assembled on these days . No nail is used, they are all assembled by ropes, with the traditional method.

Hoko & Yama Hiki-hajime ( Trial Pull )

JUL.12 - JUL.13

The newly constructed Hoko and Yama ( floats ) are pulled by the neighborhood as a try. Visitors also can join the pulling.

Dento Geino hono ( Traditional performances )

JUL.15 3:00PM - 6:00PM

Kabuki, Koto, Biwa, Kyogen etc are performed at Yasaka Shrine.

Yoi-Yama ( Eve of the Festival ) and Byobu Matsuri (Screen Display)

JUL.14 - JUL.16

All the 33 Hoko and Yama(floats)are elaborately decorated with lanterns, and musicians wearing "Yukata", (summer Kimono) play rhythmical "Gion bayashi" music on the floats.
Also private houses along the streets open their doors to show their family treasures such as "Byobu (traditional folding screens)" to the people passing by.

Yama-Hoko Junko ( The Grand Procession )

JUL.17 9:00AM

The first Naginata Float starts moving at 9:00AM, then a formal ceremony confirms the order of the floats.
The floats are so big and heavy that bunches of bamboo are spread at each street corner to help the floats make a turn. This technique, called "Tsuji-mawashi" , adds the exciting spectacles to the procession.

Shinko-Sai and Kanko-Sai

JUL.17 and 24

Yasaka Shrine's three Mikoshi ( portable shrines ) parade in the Gion district around 4:00PM., then are displand at an annex of the shrine. They return to Yasaka Shrine on 24th.

Hanagasa-Junko ( Umbrella Procession )

JUL.24 10:00AM

About ten large umbrellas, decorated with flowers, parade through the streets accompanied by musicians, Geisha and many other people.

Prossesion route :

Yasaka Shrine --> Shijo St. --> Kawaramachi St. -->

--> Oike St. --> Teramachi St. --> Shijo St. --> Yasaka Shrine

[ Yasaka Shrine ]

gion_hanagasa-02.jpg Tel : 075-561-6155

Access : City Bus No.206 Gion

* Kyoto Outdoor Riverside Dining *

Yuka, open-air dining areas along the river, are unique to Kyoto. They are set up during the summer months as a way to dine while enjoying a cool summer breeze.
Here are where you can enjoy the Yuka dining.